Theres no such thing as a free lunch

Reports in this weekends newspapers suggest that the government is warming to the arguments of those industry bodies who have been arguing that its not just farmers who need monetary help to get them over the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

However, its unlikely no strings compensation will be offered. Instead the support is expected to consist of the provision of soft loans, similar to those offered to students (ie dead low interest rates and long payback periods).

An announcement is expected on Tuesday.